A woman is fighting for her life in hospital after her partner doused her in alcohol and set her on fire three weeks before she was due to give birth to their daughter.

Furious Paolo Pietropaolo, 40, allegedly set Carla Ilene Caiazzo on fire after she told him she was leaving him for someone else.

Medics in Formia say she gave birth to their baby safely but remains in hospital with severe burns to more than 50 percent of her body.

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Eight months pregnant Carla Ilene Caiazzo (pictured), 38, was carrying the couple's unborn daughter when her boyfriend, furious she was leaving him for another man, doused her in petrol and set her on fire

Her baby daughter, who was born premature, is reported to be unharmed by her mother's horrific ordeal

Paolo Pietropaolo (pictured) is reported to have confessed to police, telling them Ms Caiazzo 'betrayed' him

A neighbour described wrestling with Pietropaolo (pictured) after he saw him hitting Ms Caiazzo with his fists

Her baby daughter, who was born premature, is reported by local media to be unharmed by her 38-year-old mother's horrific ordeal.

The couple's neighbour, Gennaro Tassieri, told Italian media how he tried to save Ms Caiazzo, who was eight months pregnant at the time.